Waterloo Region Rainbow Coalitionhttp://yourwrrc.ca
Working together to build a diverse Rainbow Community voice in Waterloo RegionSun, 30 Jul 2017 23:07:15 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.8.2http://yourwrrc.ca/wp-wrrcstuff/uploads/2017/07/cropped-rainbow-ico-32x32.pngWaterloo Region Rainbow Coalitionhttp://yourwrrc.ca
3232WRRC supports inclusive Pride Events… and continued dialogue on what ‘inclusion’ meanshttp://yourwrrc.ca/2017/06/wrrc-supports-inclusive-pride-events-and-continued-dialogue-on-what-inclusion-means/
http://yourwrrc.ca/2017/06/wrrc-supports-inclusive-pride-events-and-continued-dialogue-on-what-inclusion-means/#respondSun, 18 Jun 2017 03:15:24 +0000http://yourwrrc.ca/?p=504WRRC has recently been approached by a few parties, most recently from triPride itself, asking our stance on whether or not there should be official police involvement at triPride. Through our various community conversations, membership in the Rainbow Community Council, and other efforts to actively engage with our local rainbow community, we understand how divisive this issue can be.

Like any grassroots organization in Waterloo Region, any statement we would provide on this matter would only reflect the diversity of opinion and life experience currently within our volunteer base. We make it a point to reach out to the wider community as much as possible, as we know our volunteers do not represent the community as a whole. Through these engagements, it is our firm belief that:

there are indeed a multitude of opinions on this issue.

there has not been an opportunity to have a forum (locally) for community members to discuss this issue. The individual members of our organization all have personal opinions and would be happy to share them at such a forum.

the degree to which any community event is truly open and inclusive of the community as a whole, is directly related to the degree in which the community at large is engaged in its organization.

For full disclosure, the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) has been actively participating in the Waterloo Region Rainbow Coalition since its founding. We also note that the WRPS is a founding member of the Rainbow Community Council and have been active at Pride celebrations for a number of years. That being said, recent data for the Outlook Survey suggests that many members of our community have concerns in regards to police interactions in our community. You can read more about the latter here.

WRRC has heard some in the community expressing views that those questioning police involvement in Pride are a small minority. We find such statements troubling. First, it is our experience that there are a number of individuals that would welcome a discussion on this matter. Second, such comments only serve to silence the voices of these members of our community by trivializing their concerns. Given our organization’s mandate, we find this troubling. We will not truly move forward as a rainbow community, if we are not open to both listening to and recognizing the experiences and needs of all.

WRRC feels that requests for our stance on whether or not police should be present at triPride ignores the real issue – which is how we can do a better job of both engaging our community as a whole in the creation of spaces in which all feel welcome. We firmly believe that the suite of events making up Pride celebrations are numerous enough to create spaces for everyone to feel welcome – including members of our community who have differing levels of comfort with police services. Unless we create spaces in which we can all gather, we will never have a chance to learn from one another and address community concerns. Neither the need for these conversations, nor the discussion of the appropriateness of police presence at events targeting the rainbow community, are issues limited to Pride celebrations.

]]>http://yourwrrc.ca/2017/06/wrrc-supports-inclusive-pride-events-and-continued-dialogue-on-what-inclusion-means/feed/04th Annual Pride Party – June 3rd!http://yourwrrc.ca/2017/05/4th-annual-pride-party-june-3rd/
http://yourwrrc.ca/2017/05/4th-annual-pride-party-june-3rd/#respondSun, 28 May 2017 17:41:19 +0000http://yourwrrc.ca/?p=496Queer Night Out is excited to not only announce that we are once again hosting a dance party to help celebrate our local Pride celebrations… but also that we are being recognized as the official Saturday night pride dance!

The dance will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Downtown Kitchener, same as last year. Enter through the main entrance – the ballroom is on the second floor.

Doors open at 9 PM and the event will run until 1:00 am!

Tickets will be available in advance (online) for $8 (plus processing fees) or $12 at the door. You can purchase advanced tickets by clicking here.

19+, bring your valid photo ID with you!

Note: This event is being run on a cost-recovery basis (i.e., not looking to make a profit :)). Any additional funds will be used to help defray the costs of future social events as part of the Queer Night Out community initiative.

]]>http://yourwrrc.ca/2017/05/4th-annual-pride-party-june-3rd/feed/0LGBTQ Research in Action: A Community Conversationhttp://yourwrrc.ca/2016/09/lgbtq-research-in-action-a-community-conversation/
http://yourwrrc.ca/2016/09/lgbtq-research-in-action-a-community-conversation/#respondWed, 21 Sep 2016 03:57:18 +0000http://yourwrrc.ca/?p=448The Waterloo Region Rainbow Coalition (WRRC) invites those interested in learning more about its work over the previous year to attend our (almost) annual community conversation, followed by an LGBTQ volunteer fair on Wednesday, September 28 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Princess Twin Cinemas, located at 6 Princess St W. in Waterloo.

The community conversation will highlight the recent work of the WRRC, including its work with the Rainbow Community Council, the OutLook Study, and, most importantly, allow for our annual check-in with the local Rainbow Community. As in previous years, WRRC wants to ensure that its activities are aligned with community needs (visit www.yourwrrc.ca/reports for reports on past check-ins).

Following the conversation, there will be a volunteer fair & networking opportunity for participants to both learn more & get involved with the work of the Rainbow Community Council and its member organizations. There will also be an opportunity to participate in the OutLook Study.

The event will include free refreshments, a cash bar, and is free to attend. Please register via Eventbrite to help us better estimate the number of people attending.

This event is sponsored by the OutLook Study, through a grant from the Ontario HIV Treatment Network. Hope to see you there!

]]>http://yourwrrc.ca/2016/09/lgbtq-research-in-action-a-community-conversation/feed/0Waterloo Region Candlelight Vigil for the Orlando Shootingshttp://yourwrrc.ca/2016/06/waterloo-region-candlelight-vigil-for-the-orlando-shootings/
http://yourwrrc.ca/2016/06/waterloo-region-candlelight-vigil-for-the-orlando-shootings/#respondTue, 14 Jun 2016 13:57:34 +0000http://yourwrrc.ca/?p=435Waterloo Region’s Rainbow Coalition and The Order are proud to be holding one of two events in Waterloo Region being hosted to provide a space for the community to come together and pay respect to the lives lost in this terrible tragedy. We stand in solidarity with the Orlando LGBTQ community and share our support and condolences.

Our thanks go out to everyone who has been in touch about the upcoming vigil. The outpouring of support is so encouraging – and we have also very much appreciated people feeling comfortable to approach us with valid concerns about the event and how we can work to make the event more inclusive and safe for our community. We have made some adjustments to increase the amount of time we are spending at the square and diversifying the options for people to gather afterwards. The Waterloo Region Rainbow Coalition remains grateful to the Order for approaching us to both offer their space and co-host this event, and for working with us to host an event that welcomes as many members of our community to participate as possible.

For this Waterloo event, we will be gathering outside Waterloo Town Square at 9 PM for a candle light vigil. Community members are welcome to speak at this time. An updated list of speakers will be maintained on our Facebook event listing.

At 10:30 PM, we will walk to Princess Street, home to the Order and other businesses and organizations that have a history of supporting the local Rainbow Community. As Waterloo Region’s only nightclub marketed to the local Rainbow Community, the walk to the Order is intended to be a symbol of solidarity with the victims of the nightclub shootings. Should the shootings have occurred in our Region, those attending the Order would have, most likely, been the targets.

After the walk is complete, individuals will be invited to meet at a number of locales that have agreed to support our efforts. We hope that individuals will join with others to meet, discuss, debrief and most importantly – continue to heal. We will add participating locales as we connect with them or they connect with us. Check out our Facebook Event listing for updates.

Individuals or groups who wish to make statements at the vigil at Waterloo Town Square are invited to connect by sending a message to the Waterloo Region Rainbow Coalition via Facebook or this website.

]]>http://yourwrrc.ca/2016/06/waterloo-region-candlelight-vigil-for-the-orlando-shootings/feed/0Holiday Greetings from the Waterloo Region Rainbow Coalitionhttp://yourwrrc.ca/2015/12/holiday-greetings-from-the-waterloo-region-rainbow-coalition/
http://yourwrrc.ca/2015/12/holiday-greetings-from-the-waterloo-region-rainbow-coalition/#respondThu, 24 Dec 2015 22:44:03 +0000http://yourwrrc.ca/?p=408
]]>http://yourwrrc.ca/2015/12/holiday-greetings-from-the-waterloo-region-rainbow-coalition/feed/0WRRC Announces Formation of the Rainbow Community Councilhttp://yourwrrc.ca/2015/06/wrrc-announces-formation-of-the-rainbow-community-council/
http://yourwrrc.ca/2015/06/wrrc-announces-formation-of-the-rainbow-community-council/#respondMon, 08 Jun 2015 17:18:07 +0000http://yourwrrc.ca/?p=359Waterloo, Ontario – With Waterloo Region currently engaged in its annual Pride celebrations, the Waterloo Region Rainbow Coalition (WRRC) is proud to announce the Formation of the Rainbow Community Council (RCC), which had its inaugural meeting at the Region of Waterloo Public Health Building (99 Regina Street South, Waterloo) on Thursday May 7, 2015. Over twenty individuals and local community, social service and governmental organizations have made a commitment to work together to foster a connected, welcoming, integrated, and supportive community in Waterloo Region that is inclusive of members of the Rainbow (or LGBTQ) Community.

Member organizations in the RCC work collaboratively to support each other to address gaps in service provision; avoid duplication of services and resources; collaborate on grants/proposals; and engage in other supportive and collaborative initiatives as they relate to the Rainbow community in Waterloo Region.

The organizations that have signed up as the inaugural members and supporters of this exciting new community initiative include:

AIDS Committee of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and Area

Community Justice Initiatives

House of Friendship

Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region

Region of Waterloo

SPECTRUM

Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council

Waterloo Region District School Board

Gender Variant Working Group

Waterloo Region Rainbow Coalition

Waterloo Regional Police Services

The Rainbow Community Council (RCC) is an initiative of the WRRC designed to bring together existing community organizations (allied with the Rainbow community) to develop a truly community-wide, sustainable framework for supporting the Rainbow community as a whole.

]]>http://yourwrrc.ca/2015/06/wrrc-announces-formation-of-the-rainbow-community-council/feed/0Tri-Pride Afterparty Dance! Saturday, June 6, 2015!http://yourwrrc.ca/2015/05/tri-pride-afterparty-dance-saturday-june-6-2015/
http://yourwrrc.ca/2015/05/tri-pride-afterparty-dance-saturday-june-6-2015/#respondSat, 23 May 2015 16:57:58 +0000http://yourwrrc.ca/?p=349Queer Night Out is excited to announce that once again we are hosting the official bar night after party to end off the local tri-Pride celebrations!

Get your dance on with hot music and cold drinks!

It’s all happening at The Crowne Plaza Hotel Ballroom (105 King Street East, Kitchener, ON; find it on Google Maps) right across the street from Kitchener’s Market Square.

It’s going down on Saturday, June 6!

Doors open at 9 PM, and the party runs until 1:00 AM, with DJ Systematic spinning the best music in town!

Tickets will be available online for $8 or $10 at the door (though we recommend purchasing the tickets online; space is limited, and they could sell out fast). You can purchase tickets online at Eventbrite by clicking the link below.

]]>http://yourwrrc.ca/2015/05/tri-pride-afterparty-dance-saturday-june-6-2015/feed/0Virtual Community Conversation Report 2015http://yourwrrc.ca/2015/03/virtual-community-conversation-report-2015/
http://yourwrrc.ca/2015/03/virtual-community-conversation-report-2015/#respondTue, 24 Mar 2015 23:33:19 +0000http://yourwrrc.ca/?p=312Whether you attended virtually or in person, or couldn’t make it, you can now download the final report from our (first virtual) Community Conversation 2015! The tallies from our various questions we posed are tabulated, as well as the content that was discussed and the presentation shown.

You can download the whole PDF report here:

As we also mentioned at the end of the report, we’d like to get information from you on how you’d like to connect with us! So if you have a quick minute, please consider filling out our survey on how you’d like to connect in the future (social media, websites, physical spaces, etc):

Queer Night Out is excited to announce that we are once again hosting a Dance Party, and this time it’s to banish the incoming winter! Pretend it’s still summer and have a beachy time at our Beach Ball! Run in coordination with ACCKWA and AIDS Awareness Week!

What?

Great dance floor, full bar service, and more! Come wearing your best beach attire, and get ready for our kissing booth and free give aways! This is a 19+ event, so bring your valid photo ID!

Where?

The dance will be held at Opus Lounge (182 King Street) – the location of the former Frequency Nightclub.

When?

Doors will open at 10:00 PM and stay open until 2:00 AM with DJ Systematic providing the music!

Important Note Regarding Accessibility: OPUS Lounge operates in the same location as a former nightclub that served the Rainbow Community and was selected for its historical significance and close location to transit. The lounge is on the second floor of a building and only accessible via stairs. Queer Night Out regrets that this location may not be accessible to all members of the community.